CSS animation-direction Property Reference

The CSS animation-direction property is a standard property in CSS Animations. Review its formal syntax, computed behavior, and practical declarations.

Updated 2026-08-12

animation-direction overview

The CSS animation-direction property is a standard property in CSS Animations. Review its formal syntax, computed behavior, and practical declarations.

The property is not inherited by default. Use an explicit global keyword when inheritance is intended.

Syntax and formal definition

animation-direction formal syntax

Field	Value
Formal syntax	<single-animation-direction>#
Initial value	normal
Applies to	allElementsAndPseudos
Inherited	No
Percentages	no
Computed value	asSpecified
Animation type	notAnimatable
Media	visual
Specification group	CSS Animations
Status	Standard

Practical examples

These declarations demonstrate valid ways to set animation-direction. The initial and inherit global keywords remain available even when a property-specific value is preferable.

animation-direction live example

CSS

.reset-example {
  animation-direction: initial;
}

.inherit-example {
  animation-direction: inherit;
}

@supports (animation-direction: initial) {
  .supported {
    animation-direction: initial;
  }
}